Chairman’s Message 15 February 2022
February may be a short month, but there is no shortage of ASPA News!
Australia is opening up to superyachts, and both Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, and Superyachts 153° are excited to welcome international superyachts back to Queensland now that the borders are open. Benetti Yachts is also proud to be a major sponsor for the Superyacht Australia Soirée, to be held on Saturday 26 February 2022.
It is with sadness that we learn that Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef is saying farewell to Joanne Drake, who has done an outstanding job of steering the group over the last six years, and we welcome her replacement Virginia Edwards who will lead the group through the exciting challenges ahead.
Superyacht Australia and the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) have recently confirmed that the annual conference, ASMEX 2022, will be held from 16-18 May this year. This flagship Australian marine industry conference will continue to build on its robust reputation for delivering quality and current industry commentary, as well as offering invaluable networking opportunities to all attendees. Hopefully, APSA will be attending this year
Other developments in the region focus on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, where the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) will reclaim and add nearly 100 acres of landmass to Galle Harbour, changing the Island’s contours. A 45-hectare land area will be reclaimed from the sea as a Port City in which shopping malls, leisure parks, community centres, hotels and many other facilities will be available. The first phase of the project including construction of the two breakwaters. Land reclamation is estimated to cost approximately US$175 million.
Sail Lanka Yachting Group (SLYG) who operate a fleet of 10 luxury catamarans around the island, has been designing and manufacturing yachts, and developing marine infrastructure, since 2008. They will be attending the Dubai International Boat Show, and SLYG is looking forward to catching up with any other APSA members who are planning to attend the show in March.
Finally, if you are lucky enough to be at Miami International Boat Show which starts on the 16 February 2022, then reach out to Diane M. Byrne, Editor of MegayachtNews.com and Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association, both of whom are APSA Affiliate Association members. Diane looks forward to welcoming any Asia-Pacific-based professionals attending the show. Travel is still not easy, but some parts of the world are opening up, and those opportunities for the superyacht community to network at boat shows and conferences around the Asia-Pacific region are beginning to revive!